Chapter 10%
Renee followed them to the hospital with a shred of hope, insisting on a non–invasive paternity test before the abortion.
The result was obvious–the baby wasn’t Julian’s.
While the doctor prepared the procedure, Vivian slipped away and fled back to the Moore estate.
The next day, my adoptive parents marched her to the Fletcher estate, demanding answers.
“Is this how the Fletcher Family treats people? You held a wedding and now you’re withdrawing like it was nothing? What about Vivian’s future?”
Maddie didn’t even open the gate.
“And you still have the nerve to show your faces here? The daughter you raised had affairs with multiple men and tried to pass off someone else’s child as Julian’s.”
Vivian crossed her arms, defiant.
“So what? Julian can’t even have kids anymore. I gave the Fletcher Family a baby for free. You should be thanking me! No one else will want him now.”
Julian’s eyes flared.§
“You seduced me. I should’ve married Evelyn. I was blind to ever choose someone like you.”
“You ruined me–and still have the audacity to show up here? From now on, the Moore Family is finished in Westbridge. Not one of you will find peace.”
Then chaos broke loose. Julian grabbed Vivian by the hair and slammed her to the ground. Blood pooled beneath her. Only then did the others intervene and rush her to the hospital.
Vivian lost the baby. The trauma left her with permanent brain damage.}
The Moore Family sued Julian. The Fletchers countersued.“]
The legal battle spiraled. Neither side was willing to back down.[]
F
A month later, Lucas hosted a grand wedding for me.§
In front of everyone, he slid a diamond ring onto my finger.
“Evelyn, thank you for choosing me. I promise to love and protect you for the rest of our lives.“>
I smiled and returned the gesture, placing a ring on his hand.
As we kissed, I spotted Julian standing at the edge of the crowd. He slipped away, unnoticed.
Seven days later, Julian committed suicide.
Lucas handed me a sealed envelope.}
“He left this for you.”
I tossed it in the trash.
“He’s irrelevant.“}
= + $
Soon after, Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher transferred all their remaining assets to Lucas, stating the Fletcher fortune must stay in the bloodline. Six months later, my adoptive parents reached out unexpectedly. They handed over all of the Moore family’s domestic assets. They were taking Vivian overseas for treatment.}
“Evelyn, we’re sorry for everything. We should’ve never let Vivian hurt you like that. But she’s still our daughter–we can’t abandon her.”
I accepted the assets without a word.”
They owed me that much.”
As I organized my new holdings, Lucas grinned beside me.§
“My powerful wife. I guess I’ll have to work even harder now–just to keep up with you.”
I leaned over and kissed his cheek.
This life was finally mine–and it was just beginning.”
